Portable exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus includes an elongated strap provided with a fastener device fixed thereon for connection to a selected portion of the strap to form a closed loop of the strap, a grip member adapted for attachment to the strap and slidable along the strap, a support strip connected at a first end thereof to the strap and having at a second end thereof a connector portion, and a mounting member disposed on the connector portion of the support strip, the mounting member defining a body of greater thickness than the support strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/762,150, filed Jan. 25, 2006, in the names of Aaron Feigenbaum and Kurt Dasbach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus and is directed more particularly to such an apparatus which, when not in use, can be disposed in a compact condition in a very small space, such as a pocket of a suit case or carry bag. To use, the apparatus can be easily and quickly mounted on any available anchoring structure, such as a door.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Most exercise devices in use today, other than treadmills and bicycle type machines, are large machines mounted on a floor and provided with weights connected to wires which, in turn, are connected to machine parts movable by a body portion of a user. The user urges a body part against a body part receiver to move the receiver against a weight, the weight generally being selectable. Such devices are clearly not of a portable nature.

Because of the inability of many people to attend a gymnasium or health club on a regular basis, it has become common to provide machines for use at home, the machines being adapted to be operated in a variety of ways to affect various muscle groups. However, such machines are quite large by home standards and many homes simply do not have room for one or more such machines and, of course, such home machines do nothing to help the travelers or persons required to spend many hours per day in an office setting.

Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise device which can be used in an office, hotel room, home, or the like, which is very portable, that is, adapted to be packed in a suitcase, or “carry” bag, and still leave room for the usual necessities, and which is inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an exercise apparatus which is sufficiently portable to be carried in almost any travel bag, is quite inexpensive, and is adapted for use at home, in an office, and in a hotel, or the like.

With the above and other objects in view, a feature of the present invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus comprising an elongated strap provided with a fastener device proximate a first end thereof for connection to a selected portion of the strap to form a closed loop of the strap, a grip member adapted for attachment to the strap and slidable along the strap, a support strip connected at a first end thereof to the strap and having nearer a second end thereof a connector portion, and a mounting member connected to the connector portion of the support strip, the mounting member defining a body of greater thickness than the support strip.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising an elongated strap provided with a fastener device proximate a first end thereof for connection to a selected portion of the strap to form a closed loop of the strap, a grip member adapted for attachment to the strap, a support strip fixed at a first end thereof to the strap and having at a second end thereof a connector portion, and a mounting member fixed to the connector portion of the support strip, the mounting member defining a body of greater thickness than the support strip.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising first and second elongated straps, each provided with a fastener device proximate a first end thereof for connection to a selected portion of the strap to form a closed loop of the strap, first and second grip members, each adapted for attachment to one of the straps, first and second support strips, each connected at a first end thereof to one of the straps and each having nearer a second end thereof a connector portion, and a mounting member connected to each of the connector portions of the support strips, the mounting members each defining a body of greater thickness than the support strips.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular devices embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a generally planar view of one form of the apparatus components, each shown separately;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a strap member of the apparatus formed in a loop configuration, and a grip member and a support strip attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of a mounting member of the apparatus attached to the support strip and shown in place on a support structure shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus in place for use, as seen from one side of a door on which the apparatus is mounted;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus in place for use as seen from the other side of the door;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus in use;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative grip member in the form of a bar adapted for attachment to two strap members; and

FIG. 8 is a generally elevational view of an alternative embodiment of support strip and mounting member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the apparatus includes an elongated strap 10, a grip member 20 adapted for attachment to the strap 10, a support strip 40 for attachment to the strap 10, and a mounting member 60 for connection to the support strip 40.

The strap 10 preferably is of a nylon webbing material, or the like. A fastener device, such as a buckle 12, or the like, is mounted proximate a first end 14 of the strap 10 and is adapted to receive a second end 16 of the strap 10 and to slide along the strap 10 and be locked in place at a selected location along the length of the strap 10 to form a closed loop 18 of readily adjustable length.

The grip member 20 is of a flexible material formed as a loop 22. A hand grip portion 24, which may be cushioned, is disposed at a first portion 26 of the loop 22, and a slide member 28 is disposed on a second portion 30 of the loop 22 for sliding along the strap 10. The slide member 28 may be a rigid ring 32. The hand grip portion 24 may include a tubular member 34 having the first portion 26 of the grip member loop 22 extending therethrough.

The support strip 40 may be provided with a slide structure 42 at a first end 44 thereof, for slidable disposition on the strap 10, and a connector portion 46 at a second end 48 thereof. The connector portion 46 may be in the form of a loop 50, as shown in FIG. 1, or as tie members (not shown) which can be tied together to form the connector loop 50. The slide structure 42 may be a rigid ring 52 for slidable disposition on the strap 10.

The mounting member 60, in one embodiment thereof, is a body of material, preferably a soft fabric material, rubber-like material, or a more rigid body (not shown) covered with a relatively soft fabric, or rubber-like material. The mounting member 60 is of greater thickness than a mid-section 54 of the support strip 40.

Alternatively, the connector portion 46 of the support strip 40 may be permanently attached to the mounting member 60 and may be permanently affixed, as by sewing, to the strap 10, as is illustrated in FIG. 8.

In use, the grip member ring 32 and the support member ring 52 are slid onto the strap 10 by threading the second end 16 of the strap 10 through the rings 32, 52, which may be “O”rings or “D” rings, or the like. The second end 16 of the strap 10 is then extended through the buckle 12 until the desired length of loop 18 is achieved. The buckle 12 is then locked to secure the strap 10 in the loop configuration. The length of the loop may be adjusted by repositioning of the buckle on the strap.

The support strip connector portion 46 is then slid over the mounting member 60, if the connector portion 46 is a loop. If the connector portion 46 is a pair of ties, the ties are tied together around the mounting member 60, to affix the support strip 40 to the mounting member 60. If the support strip 40 is permanently connected to the strap 10 and the mounting member 60 is fixed to the connector portion 46 of the support strip 40, as shown in FIG. 8, this portion of the apparatus requires no further assembly of components.

In packing the apparatus for travel or storage, it is apparent that the apparatus may be packed assembled, or piece-meal and subsequently assembled. Inasmuch as the components are mostly flexible and compressible, little room is consumed by the apparatus whether assembled or piece-meal.

In the assembled condition, the apparatus may be mounted for use, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, by sliding the support strip mid-section 54 over the top T of a door D, with the mounting member 60 on one side of the door D (FIGS. 3 and 5) and the strap 10 on the other side of the door (FIGS. 3 and 4). Because the mounting member 60 is substantially thicker than the support strip mid-section 54, the support strip easily fits in a small opening G between the top T of the door D and the door frame F thereabove, but the mounting member 60 is too large to pass through the opening G and locks the apparatus in place.

As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus may then be used for various arm and upper torso exercises, but also facilitates foot and leg exercises.

In a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus, there may be added to the components shown in FIG. 1, an elongated rigid bar 70, shown in FIG. 7. The bar 70 is provided with attachment means, such as flanges 72, each with an opening 74 therein which can receive the strap member 10 therein, or receive a double-ended snap member (not shown) by which each end of the bar 70 can be fixed to a strap member 10 or grip member ring 32. Thus, optionally, the bar 70 may be used as a grip member in addition to, or in lieu of the grip member 20.

There is thus provided an exercise device which can be used in very limited space and can be packed in a compacted condition so as to occupy little space in a travel bag, or the like.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims. 

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: an elongated strap provided with a fastener device fixed thereon for connection to a selected portion of said strap to form a closed loop of said strap; a grip member adapted for attachment to said strap; a support strip connected at a first end thereof to said strap and having nearer a second end thereof a connector portion; and a mounting member connected to said connector portion of said support strip, said mounting member defining a body of greater thickness than said support strip.
 2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fastener device comprises a buckle.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grip member comprises a closed loop of flexible material having a hand grip portion disposed at a first portion thereof and a slide member disposed at a second portion thereof for sliding along said strap.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the hand grip portion comprises a tubular member having the first portion of the closed loop of flexible material extending therethrough.
 5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support strip is connected to said strap by a slide structure comprising a ring slidable along said strap.
 6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support strip connector portion comprises a loop encircling said mounting member, said loop extending from a support strip mid-section.
 7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting member body comprises a body at least in part of a soft material.
 8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grip member comprises an elongated rigid bar adapted for attachment at an end thereof to said strap.
 9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the end of said bar is slidable along said strap.
 10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising an elongated rigid bar for attachment at an end thereof to a selected one of said strap and said hand grip portion.
 11. An exercise apparatus comprising: an elongated strap provided with a fastener device proximate a first end thereof for connection to a selected portion of said strap to form a closed loop of said strap; a grip member adapted for attachment to said strap; a support strip permanently fixed at a first end thereof to said strap, and having nearer a second end thereof a connector portion; and a mounting member permanently fixed to said connector portion of said support strip, said mounting member defining a body of greater thickness than said support strip.
 12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said grip member comprises an elongated rigid bar.
 13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and further comprising an elongated rigid bar for attachment at an end thereof to a selected one of said strap and said hand grip portion.
 14. An exercise apparatus comprising: first and second elongated straps, each provided with a fastener device proximate a first end thereof for connection to a selected portion of said strap to form a closed loop of said strap; first and second grip members, each adapted for attachment to one of said straps; first and second support strips, each being connected at a first end thereof to one of said straps and each of said support strips having nearer a second end thereof a connector portion; and a mounting member mounted in each of said connector portions of said support strips, said mounting members each defining a body of greater thickness than said support strips and being at least in exterior parts thereof of a soft material.
 15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 and further comprising an elongated rigid bar adapted for attachment to a selected one of said first and second grip members, and said first and second straps.
 16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said support strip is sewn to said strap.
 17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first and second support strips are each sewn to one of said straps. 